Materials

The VIA Institute on Character is a non-profit organization, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, dedicated to bringing the science of character strengths to the world through supporting research, creating and validating surveys of character, and developing practical tools for individuals and practitioners. We use their free tools in our stress management and resilience training courses to help people connect with their meaning and purpose. Lots of free resources on this website.

We like Human Givens! This is a school of therapy that’s really accessible and makes some fundamental points about how the stressed mind works (or rather, doesn’t). Recognise that you have some essential human needs and that a lot of unhappiness and stress arises from them simply not being met. Also, recognise that clear thinking requires a calm state of mind.

Stanford University’s Professor Dr. Carol S. Dweck talks about how phrases like “You are so talented” might shape us more than we think (and not just positively!). Based on her fascinating research into different self-conceptions she explains how our mindsets can govern our lives at home, at school and in our career.

In this interesting postcast by the BPS, psychology researchers in the field of habit change are interviewed for findings that can provide real-life tips for people hoping to break bad habits or form new healthy ones. They do not promise you a life of health and success as some self-help authors do, but you might be able to help you eat less chocolate!

A psychometric questionnaire that aims to explore your personality type, based on the model of the Big Five personality traits, openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.

An enlightening and practical guide to the most powerful tools of reasoning ever developed, by one of the world’s most renowned psychologists.

Many scientific and philosophical ideas are so powerful that they can be applied to our lives to help us think smarter and more effectively about our behaviour and the world around us. Surprisingly, many of these ideas remain unknown to most of us. Drawing on his own groundbreaking research, Richard Nisbett presents these ideas in clear and accessible detail to offer a tool kit for better thinking and wiser decisions. Mindware shows how to reframe common problems – whether professional, business, or personal – in such a way that these powerful scientific and statistical concepts can be applied to them.

We thought this was a great read. Just knowing a few of the principles could really help you make better work and life decisions.

We love this – not least for the wonderful cartoon graphics! For us, there is also something in here about unconscious processing. Why not consider the messages alongside Richard Nisbett’s book – Mindware?

You may have heard that the model of “left brain” and “right brain” is a bit of a simplification, but don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater as there is some some truth in the idea of lateralisation of brain function. This wonderful, animated film tells you more ….

In some ways this was the book that kicked off the whole EI debate: the groundbreaking bestseller that redefined intelligence and success. Does IQ define our destiny? Daniel Goleman argues that our view of human intelligence is far too narrow, and that our emotions play a major role in thought, decision making and individual success. Self-awareness, impulse control, persistence, motivation, empathy and social deftness are all qualities that mark people who excel: whose relationships flourish, who are stars in the workplace. With new insights into the brain architecture underlying emotion and rationality, Goleman shows precisely how emotional intelligence can be nurtured and strengthened in all of us.

If you’re preparing for interviews with a prospective or current employer, it’s now highly likely that you’ll be required to complete a selection test. To achieve your best, it’s essential that you understand what selection tests involve, how you can prepare for them and how they influence a recruiters final decision. Prepare for Tests at Interview guides you through the entire testing process and tackles many of the concerns you may have when faced with the prospect of a selection test. Of course what this book also does is give you some advice on how you can increase your self knowledge.

Authors Steven J. Stein and Howard E. Book show you how the dynamic of emotional intelligence works. By understanding EQ, you can build more meaningful relationships, boost your confidence and optimism, and respond to challenges with enthusiasm–all of which are essential ingredients of success.

The EQ Edge offers fascinating–and sometimes surprising–insights into what it takes to be a top law–enforcement officer, lawyer, school principal, student, doctor, dentist or CEO. You will learn what the top EQ factors are across many different kinds of jobs, from business managers and customer service representatives to HR professionals and public servants.

In a poignant, funny talk, Brené Brown shares insights from her research on human connection – our ability to empathise, belong and love – that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity.

In The Big Leap, Gay Hendricks, the New York Times bestselling author of Five Wishes, demonstrates how to eliminate the barriers to success by overcoming false fears and beliefs. Fans of Wayne Dyer, Eckhart Tolle, Marianne Williamson, and The Secret will find useful, effective tips for breaking down the walls to a better life in The Big Leap.

iPersonic is a straightforward personality system available in 26 languages and used by millions of people in more than 130 countries. It’s incredibly simple to do and is a fair starting point for the exploration of who you are. This way of looking at personality leads to a description of “type”. In that way, it’s a bit like the well known MBTI.

The Process Communication Model® (PCM) is an innovative tool which enables you to understand, motivate, and communicate effectively with others. People who use the Process Communication Model benefit from a whole range of practical tools specifically designed for successful everyday management of communication. This is the work of Dr. Taibi Kahler, who has done a great deal to help us understand what happens to personality under pressure.

This workbook gives managers a chance to understand their own managerial style, reflect on whether it suits the situations they face, and make appropriate changes. It’s not a full psychometrics but it’s a great place to start.

We trained with Linda Sykes. She’s a great teacher, with a real passion for not only NLP but also yoga. There are lots of advantages to working with someone who makes the clear link between mind and body.

In this innovative book, renowned psychologist David Kantor applies his research and theory of structural dynamics to the workplace to show how individual leaders and coaches can develop their own skills in understanding group dynamics and apply this understanding to improve organisational communication and performance.

Carol Dweck’s short but thought-provoking TED talk, based on extensive scientific research, demonstrating the ability of the brain to improve its performance when we focus on process rather than outcome.

The Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ) is a 10-item measure of the Presence of Meaning in Life, and the Search for Meaning in Life. It is free to use for educational, therapeutic, and research purposes. We don’t charge for sane.works so we are just signposting you there!

At the heart of Persona Bubble is our free personality test. This is an officially approved version of a questionnaire used by psychologists (for purposes such as hiring for jobs, career advice, research and counselling).

About

This site is maintained by two individuals who wear more than one hat – be it consultant, psychologist or psychotherapist – so you should expect to find a wide range of materials that are all about how people learn, perform and grow. Chris and Jackie founded Sixth Sense Consulting Ltd in 2010. We provide assessment, leadership development, team building, career transition, psychotherapy, and wellbeing services to individuals and organisations. Our aim is to share materials and resources we use in our day to day work with others in a digestible and practical format.